Michael Schoelles

MichaelSchoelles

Adjunct

Michael Schoelles

Adjunct Faculty

Ph.D. George Mason University

M.S. George Mason University

B.S. University of Maryland

Michael Schoelles is interested in the “computational architecture of the mind.”

“What are the invariant cognitive systems and how do their constraints interact to produce human behavior?” said Michael Schoelles. “I develop cognitive models to simulate humans interacting with a computer system in order to evaluate the interface design of that system. Furthermore, I am interested in how the brain implements the functions that emerge from these cognitive models.”

Schoelles is currently involved in several research projects. One is to do microanalyses and cognitive modeling to identify the elements of general and specific transfer that lead to extreme expertise in skilled performance. Another project is to quantifying cognitive workload in multimodal task environments. A third project is visualization of large and complex data sets.

Recent published research include “The soft constraints hypothesis: A rational analysis approach to resource allocation for interactive behavior,” in Psychological Review, “Adapting to the task: Explorations in expected value,” in Cognitive Systems Research, and “ProtoMatch: A tool for analyzing high-density, sequential eye gaze and cursor protocols” in Behavior Research Methods.

Schoelles has also contributed to several books, including a chapter on “Determining the number of model runs: Treating cognitive models as theories by not sampling their behavior” in Human-in-the-loop simulations: Methods and practice, “Introduction to Coordinating Tasks Through Goals and Intentions” in Integrated models of cognitive systems, and “Introduction to Emotions” in Integrated models of cognitive systems.

And his work has been presented at numerous conferences, including “Cognitive Modeling as a Tool for Improving Runway Safety” and the 16th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, “Squeezing the Balloon: Analyzing the Unpredictable Effects of Cognitive Workload,” and the 54th Annual Conference of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.